Now this is wall art!!

I visited my home town of Ephrata, Washington last week.          My sister told me I just had to see the new mural painted on the side of the local movie theater.

I had no idea how great it would be.  It is quickly becoming a tourist attraction in this small community.

Apparently the artist is just out of high school.  A lot of talent for someone so young.

Pictures speak much better than words, so here you are ....

View of whole mural from across the street.

Left side with artist signature

Penguins and minions, oh my....

Incredible, isn't it

Not sure what movie the airplane is from.

Then, we we got home and unloaded some of my mother's things, the boys decided that the "new" chair was their personal property.  Our old girls just aren't welcome there.  Maybe because the blanket we put over it to protect it from kitty fur is a good camouflage?

You can't see me!

Shilo's Introduction to new home

Shilo is getting ready to move to her new home.  She was scheduled to move this last weekend, but since Jen and Ronda were in the process of tearing up the rugs in their new place, it was felt it would be too dangerous for a little puff like Shilo .... she might get crushed underfoot or run out the door and get lost in the new wooded surroundings. So she is going to be going over this coming weekend,

In preparation for the move, I took her over to meet her new moms.  At first she wasn't sure about the whole thing.  The first chance she got, she ran under a pickup where she thought she would be safe.  Oh, no,,, there was another cat under there!!!
    That was her first introduction to her new "aunt" Milly.  A little tail puffing and a hiss or two, but that was it. Looks like they might get along OK

After a while, Shilo calmed down and I knew when this picture was taken that she will be a very loving home.

Shilo asleep on Momma Rhonda's Lap

In case you are wondering, Rhonda's T-shirt says "If you don't teach your cat about catnip, who will?"

Hoarder's Stash Bead Hop this weekend

I can't believe that I actually got my pieces done!  My j.o.b. has been so hectic lately that there was not much time left in the day for working on any projects.  But 5-10 minutes at a time over the last several weeks paid off.  Look for the reveal this Saturday, July 20th.

The "boys" are growing by leaps and bounds.  Zinger was the rut of the litter, so tiny and shy.  Now he is a moose! All muscle. Tofur, who we thought would be huge because his paws were so big, is much lighter (mostly fur). They finally finished up with all their shots and have forgiven us for their visits to the vet.

Zinger is just not sure about coming out of the cage
during this vet visit.

We found some more stray kittens in the blackberry vines a couple of weeks ago.  This cutie was so adorable that I was not willing to take her to the Humane Society. She is finding a home with my good friend Jen.  We are kitty sitting till she moves into her new home at the end of the month.

Shilo

I would keep her if I could, but 6 is too many already.  I swear there is a beacon over our house written in Catese,,,, it say "Here live Suckers"  (they will pet you and love you and feed you and call you George)

Rustication

I finally overcame my obsession with Controlled Marbling long enough to try out a new tutorial: Rustic Beads by Ginger Davis Allman at The Blue Bottle Tree.

My first attempts aren't as Rustic as hers, but then she wrote the book, so to speak.
On the first try, the beads came out way too thick and not battered enough.

So, after reducing the amount of clay and purchasing a "rustic tool" that Ginger recommended in the tut, these were the result.  Not quite what I expected, but I am not unhappy.  They aren't as, well for lack of a better term, rustic as those Ginger makes. I think that is because I tend to gravitate towards brighter, lighter colors.  I am going to try darker colors next time.

Kitten update:  I can't really call them kittens any more.  They are 5 months old and almost full grown.  Zinger had his "operation" last week and it did not go as well as Tofur's.  He apparently wiggled and twisted and squirmed around so much, he bumped his hinny against the cage and gave himself a nasty hematoma at the surgical site.  He has to wear a cone to prevent further damage. 

Sleeping off the effects of the day

Worming my way into Daddy's heart??

What a Wasted Week

I hate being sick.  And, even worse, to be sick on vacation.  Started getting sick at Clay Camp Sunday Night and by Monday night, I was down for the count.  I think this cold hit me so hard because I still have a touch of the bronchitis from last month's infection.

I was supposed to be in Eastern Washington this week helping with my mother's estate.  Instead my poor beleaguered sister had to handle the yard sale by herself.  I feel so bad about this ... I had taken the week off especially to help her.

Last night was the first time I felt even a little human all week, and at that all I could do was watch a little TV, catch up on emails and visit Pinterest.  Today I started putting away my Clay Camp paraphernalia - that took most of the morning. After a several hour nap to recoup my energy, I took some pictures of the beads I made at Clay Camp.  They will be posted later when I have the energy to edit them.

Lord Opuson was a trouper, watching over me and the kittens when I was sick.   We both have our faves.  Soft little Tofur is my baby, while Zinger  (so named because he Zings into the house whenever the door opens) is growing on my hubbie.

Tofur a couple of weeks ago.  Getting ready for a nap

Opus actually tucker Zinger out playing with him.
Usually he doesn't hold still for photos.

Clay Day

  Our guild has a quarterly Clay Day and I finally got to attend one.  Usually I have to work till midnight the night before and just can't get up early enough to make the 30 or so mile drive  worthwhile.  I actually had a 3 day weekend made the most of it.  Saw the new Wizard of Oz movie (midnight showing opening night - stories of Oz were always my favorite books as a child and that love still continues).  Saturday was spent making beads and talking with friends at Third Place Books. Afterwards, I got to visit with my kitties (pardon ...not "mine" anymore... now part of the  Maria et al family) in their new home. They certainly did not take long to move it and make it their own.  Running around like they owned the place.

    Clay Day was very inspiring.  Maria was working with translucent clay, so I got out the inks and colored a some clay too.  I had a new "skinny" border texture sheet that I used to get the crosshatched look.

Not Antiqued

Antiqued

 I decided to play a bit with controlled marbling (a la Lynda Mosely).  When I got done and looked at the veneer, I was not all that pleased with it. To tell the truth, I was trying to do it from memory and think I missed a step or two. Rather than wad up the clay for bead guts, I sliced it into strips and made beads.  I found a rolled cane in my tool box (heavens ... I don't even REMEMBER making it ... wonder how old it is?)  I reduced and added slices to the striped veneer just for fun.  I really like the final look of these beads.

Colors used: Wasabi, Fuchsia, Ecru and white/

When I got home, there was more experimenting to do.  I had some tinted translucent clay left over ... humm, wonder what will happen if I marble it and use it as a veneer.  As you can see, it is really hard to see any variation in color between the different tinted clays.

Found a different bulls eye cane to use for detail

The tints show up a bit better in these longer beads

I am not giving up on this idea. I have a weekend coming up and more experimentation to do.  

If I am not playing with the kittens that is!  Only two left but they are sooo adorable, and such a distraction.

I hope that Tofur keeps his blue eyes.

Zinger waiting patiently for the door to open.

Kitties in new home

Two more of my fledgings have left the nest.  They have landed in a very good home, with my guild mate Maria and her family.  She emailed me today to let me know that  they started playing right away, using the kitty litter like good little kitties, and seem to be settling in OK.  She sent a few pictures track their progress.  Lydia made them a little house with a "Welcome Kitties" sign - it is sooooo cute.

All tuckered out in our new home.  We've had a busy day.

That just leaves Tofur and Zinger (yes, I finally named the last one) still with us.  Maybe we will keep them, if I can't find a good home.

Studio Time the 2nd

Maybe today the pictures will behave and go where I want them to.

I recently got Christi Friesen's latest book, Flourish.  It was a long wait, but well worth it.  It is chalked full of ideas and inspiration.  One of the techniques she wrote about was dissolving chalk in a glaze to achieve a faux ceramic look.  I tried it on simple beads, not too bad.  Next time I will add more chalk to the mixture as I had to put on 3 coats to get them this dark.  I want to explore this idea more.

I had a bit of left over transluscent clay I had tinted with ink.  I rolled the clay in glitter before baking.  

 One of the ideas I got from Pinterest (Love, love, love Pinterest)  is a Mokume Gane technique called Hidden Magic.  I gave it a try and, of course, had to incorporate the resulting veneer into beads.  I used yellow and green for my base colors, making several passes through the PM to smooth out the veneer.  I did learn that it is best to start out with a stamp that has a very tight design, since each PM pass thins it out more.  I like the result ... now just to figure out what to do with them.

 And of course, I had to spend time with the kitties. Most of them will be leaving for new homes soon and I will be missing them so much.  I have to love them when they are here. I hope Opuson and I have done a good job domesticating them ... there is not a one of them that does not come running and trying to scoot into the house the second the door is open.  Momma cat is even letting us pet her and seems to have lost a lot of her shyness around us.
 

Please let me in ... I am sooo cute and want to love you.

They are quickly outgrowing their basket, but don't
want to sleep anywhere else. We have set up other
places, but they like it here best.

Oh goodie, the human climbing post is back!

Bead Soup - Gathering the Ingredients

Life has finally slowed down for an hour or so, to give me a chance to write about the latest Bead Soup Party.
   My beads arrived this week from Stephanie Stamper Rainy Days Designs and my mind is percolating with  ideas.  I got oodles of beads, so I am definitely seeing more than one necklace, and several earring designs.

Black Cat says it is time to PART-EEE!!!!

For those who are allergic to cats, here is a more sedate pix (before Black Cat decided to play with the beads)

The focal shows up much better in this one

And now I can reveal what I sent to Stepha.  I had just gotten Christi Friesen's newest masterpiece (well worth the wait, I might add) FLOURISH and was inspired by all the leaf designs within. I made two focals, just in case the large one was a bit too much for my newest Partner. I got so carried away making the companion beads, that I continued making more using other scrap clay from my table.  Will show them at a later date.  I continued the leaf theme by being able to find a leaf shaped clasp.

All polymer except the small brown beads.
They are wooden.

And for those who are wondering, the kittens are doing well.  They are weaned, litter box trained and busy looking for good homes.  Four of them are spoken for, all going to people who will love them, hopefully for a long time.

Totally Catified

I am totally gaga over the kittens.  I know that I will not be able to keep them, but am totally enjoying them while they are here.
   Nermal has been such a good mother to the brood, which I am very grateful for as she looks to be very young herself.  She is really starting to trust us, which I hope will make it easier to get her spayed when this is over.  Still won't let us pick her up, but we are slowly gaining her confidence.
  The little ones are starting to explore their world.  Two are very brave and have started to come towards the door every time it opens.  Opuson says not to name them, as it will make it that much harder to part with them when the time comes, but I just can't help it. The really adventurous little boy I am calling Tofur and his almost as brave brother is Tiger.
   The other 4 tend to stay in their basket or the immediate area and one refuses to leave it at all (I think she is the only girl of the bunch - still not 100% on the sex of all of them as they are so hard to tell apart).  She is Mynee.  Eenie, Meenie and Moe have yet to id themselves.
    If you are tired of kitten pictures, just skip the rest of this post, as that is all there is for today.  Tomorrow I start working on my Bead Soup Blog Hop mix .... today I play with the kittens.

Tofur was already heading out as I snapped this one

Feeling a bit crowded here

Yep, I'm sure ... definitely crowded.  

Momma wanted to see what I was up to.  She how brave she is getting!

This is either Tiger or Tofur.

Little Mynee doesn't feel safe leaving the nest yet.

Asymmetrical Challenges

As mentioned in a previous post, I am a gal who likes symmetry.  Things gotta match.   The trend toward asymmetrical jewelry, while fascinating is also scary to me.  However I find myself  strangely attracted to it,  even though it bothers my inner sense of balance.
  One of my goals for this year is to expand my range into actually making more jewelry pieces, rather than just the beads. I enjoyed the challenge of the 52 earrings/year project, and taking part in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Hops.  These have forced me to expand beyond my scope and interested me more in jewelry design itself.  I have a bead stash (who doesn't?) that is crying to be used, not to mention making my own beads,  so what is stopping me? Why am I afraid to put some beads on a string??? And when I do attempt stringing, it takes me forever ... I find myself stressing over exactly which beads to use, make and remake the string a dozen times.  This does not lead to a very happy experience in the long run.  I want to enjoy the process, not stress over it.
   Hence the latest experiment (bet you were wondering when  I going to get to the point).  I thought I would try the leave it to chance method.  The first try was with a strand of coordinated beads from a bead show years past. Easy to start with as some one else had picked the beads for me, thus reducing the stress of having to think to hard. Into the bucket they went and I strung them as I pulled them out.  The only bead placement planning I did was with the triangular shaped beads.

That idea worked so well, it lead me to attempt an even more challenging project. This time, I had to go through my bead stash and pick the coordinating beads myself.  I still left the stringing order to chance,  except for the  spacer motif. I must admit that I really like this set.  Now I have the stringing bug, which is good since it is too cold in my studio to do any clay work.  I have to do something to keep my fingers busy this winter.

And here is your moment of cute .

Some one has exploring feet
(taken with cell phone so pardon the focus)

Kittens - Day 1

Momma Kat was taking a well deserved potty break so I snuck out and snapped this photo really fast.  I can't wait till they are a little older and I can change the towel.  So far no real problems except a visit from a racoon last night.  Momma let us know it was there (she can really howl and hiss when she has a mind too) and Opus chased it off.

Ennie, Meenie Minie, Moe, Tiger and Toee

Kitten Momma

   We have cats - mainly the Underfoot Clan, indoor and spoiled.
   We also have ferals that show up periodically. They took shelter in the blackberry vines that used to grow in our backyard.  We had the vines cleaned out this past summer and the ferals moved on, except for one.  He became more and more brave, coming up to the back porch.  We could not resist feeding him, and he became our outdoor cat, or O.D. We believe he has been neutered by the catch and release people, as he has a notched ear and does not spray.  He has thus far resisted all attempts to pick up, but will allow a few gentle pets when eating.  After Prince passed on, Opus started taking more of an interest in OD. He got a bed for him on the porch, put a tarp shelter around it when the weather got bad, and got him a water dispenser. And he claims not to like cats ...  doesn't fool me for a second.
   A short time ago, another cat showed up and O.D. took a real liking to her.  They played together and he even shares his bed with her.  I noticed that she was getting a little fat, and at first thought it was because we were feeding her regular meals.  Then it dawned on me that she was expecting ... oh, dear.  She is so shy - we have yet to be able pet her even when feeding.
   I was very worried about her as I know the survival rate for kittens in the winter is not high, and she looks to be barely out of kitten hood herself.  I was afraid that the first time she left her kittens to get food, they would freeze. She apparently knows suckers when she sees them, because .... what greets Opus when he left for PT this morning?  Kittens on our front porch!!!  She was having kittens in the kitty bed she shares with OD.  Oh, dear .... now what?  I can't get near her to move her anywhere warmer ... The most I can do is move a heater out in there (even that freaked her out).
  When I took this pix earlier today, the count was 4 kittens.  I came back from my Dr appointment and there are 2 more.  I hope they survive ( then we will be a "cat house" for sure - 10 cats .... oh myyyy).
  After all this I am definitely getting her to a vet and neutered. Just have to catch her.There might be hope, she at least let me get close enough for this one picture before panic took over.

Nermal and her little ones